New Yorkers braved the heat one day last week to take advantage of the opportunity to record free online video resumes, when the world's first career TV-website, CareerTV.com, launched big in Times Square.

"It felt a bit weird doing it. But, being in the advertising industry, I believe online video resumes can really help me when applying for a job," said Nina Ribbenklint, who completed her resume in just a few takes, despite many curious onlookers.

Best-selling author and career/workplace expert, Stephen Viscusi, states that we can expect to see more of online video resumes in the future. The technology is inexpensive and easy to use, and the online video resume has several advantages over traditional written resumes. "I call them 'resumes on steroids'," says Viscusi. "Employers receive such a large number of applications that one needs to grab the attention of the potential employer quickly, and that is exactly what online video resumes do."

Another plus, according to Viscusi, is that the applicant's persona comes through in an online video resume. "In recruiting, personality and chemistry are very important. If candidates present well in an online video resume, the employer will be more likely to offer an interview even if they, for example, lack the preferred work experience. A written resume rarely provides that opportunity," said Viscusi, who estimates that an online video resume will score an applicant 20 percent more job interviews.

Just as job hunters are starting to post video profiles on the Internet, prominent companies are now making use of the web's latest format to promote themselves to potential applicants. "The recruiting world is always evolving and videos help candidates understand our company culture and what separates us from the competition, so they can tell if we would be a good fit for them," said Larry Nash, Recruiting Director of Branding & Communications, Ernst & Young.

Ernst & Young, Google, JP Morgan, Walt Disney, L'Oreal, FBI, Apple, and BMW are just a few of the many top organizations that are using video clips to offer an inside perspective on their businesses via CareerTV.com.

According to Dr. John Sullivan, Professor of Management in the College of Business at San Francisco State University, online videos are an effective tool for companies wanting to market themselves towards professionals. "Videos have that 'wow' factor that regular ads don't have, and unlike print ads, online viewership can be tracked."

Lars-Henrik Molin is the CEO and founder of CareerTV.com. "Online videos enable candidates and employers to interact in an effective way that wasn't possible before, and more and more people will discover the many benefits," he said. "Online video is the future in recruiting."